Introduction

Last week we saw that when population growth is unchecked by limitations even a slowly reproducing species will reproduce to staggering numbers. But "unchecked by limitations" is never realistic. Populations will always be limited by various factors in the environment. Such "Limiting Factors" include abiotic conditions, such as soil pH and available moisture, and other living things, the "biota." Biotic factors include all living members of a community including bacterial disease, parasites, food and predators. In this week's lab we will look at interactions between predator populations and their prey.

I suggest that you reread last week's pre-lab exercise (Population Growth) to refresh your memory.

Points for the lab will be earned from a pre-lab quiz, lab activity and a post-lab quiz.

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